US Secretary of State Reports Modest Progress in Back-Channel Talks on Iran Tensions
Washington — Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that indirect negotiations aimed at easing tensions in the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict have shown limited positive movement, though he cautioned against over-optimism.
Rubio described the developments as “a little bit of movement” that is somewhat encouraging but stressed that substantial progress remains uncertain. “I don’t want to exaggerate it, but there’s been a little bit of movement, and that’s good,” he said. He added that he is “not popping champagne yet,” underscoring that Washington is avoiding any exaggeration of the situation and that the window for diplomacy may not stay open indefinitely.
Pakistan is reportedly playing a mediating role behind the scenes. Security sources indicate that Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, is expected to visit Tehran soon for discussions with Iranian officials as Islamabad seeks to maintain lines of communication between Washington and Tehran.
A significant obstacle in the talks is Iran’s reported proposal for a “tolling system” in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. Rubio rejected the idea outright, describing it as unacceptable and warning that it could derail diplomatic efforts.
The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making any potential disruption a major concern for international energy security.
